Written By Valdemar
Jan. 7, 2024, 10:57 p.m.(7/7/1021 AR)
Only zealots could speak of breaking the world and sound so self-righteous about doing it. I'd warn against breaking your own arms patting yourselves on the backs, but it seems like it won't matter much longer anyway.
Written By Valdemar
Jan. 1, 2023, 7:54 p.m.(2/25/1019 AR)
Relationship Note on Dagon
You will see no sadness or regrets expressed here regarding the death of the former Duke of house Tyde, in spite of the fact that I got along with him well enough in the past. Perhaps if he'd tried to exert his claim before he sat back and allowed division to run rampant through the Mourning Isles for years, I'd have been among those to follow him. With the way that things shook out, however, the only thing his death brings me is relief. Perhaps now those who were following him will see sense so that we can turn our attention to the true enemies we have.
Written By Valdemar
Dec. 19, 2022, 11:31 p.m.(1/28/1019 AR)
I do not relish attacking one of my own vassals, but there was a lesson that had to be taught. An example to be made.
This war may not be over yet, but important steps toward it have been taken. Maybe now that people have seen the price of treason firsthand, they will think twice about committing it for the sake of a dead tradition.
If not, then more crosses can be built.
This war may not be over yet, but important steps toward it have been taken. Maybe now that people have seen the price of treason firsthand, they will think twice about committing it for the sake of a dead tradition.
If not, then more crosses can be built.
Written By Valdemar
Nov. 14, 2020, 2:40 p.m.(5/20/1014 AR)
Relationship Note on Perronne
Things have changed since you last came to our lands. We are in the process of freeing our thralls and ensuring that they either find homes elsewhere, if that is what they wish, or that they have well-paying, productive jobs if they choose to stay. Educating them, if necessary, at great expense. And in doing so, making ourselves a target of men and women who have no honor.
So do not presume to know my reasons for anything. You very clearly know nothing of me, nor of what I've done, to be able to judge by. You don't even seem to understand that what I wrote about Mistress Zyanya's words were not a criticism of her, a person whose company I've enjoyed in the past, but rather of a place that she was singing the praises of.
So do not presume to know my reasons for anything. You very clearly know nothing of me, nor of what I've done, to be able to judge by. You don't even seem to understand that what I wrote about Mistress Zyanya's words were not a criticism of her, a person whose company I've enjoyed in the past, but rather of a place that she was singing the praises of.
Written By Valdemar
Nov. 13, 2020, 2:38 p.m.(5/18/1014 AR)
Relationship Note on Zyanya
I learned all I needed to about Jadairal when we received the terms of its "offer" for Arvum to become part of its empire.
Written By Valdemar
Nov. 12, 2020, 3:19 p.m.(5/16/1014 AR)
Relationship Note on Zyanya
It is odd, after your spiel about Jadairal, to hear you invoke Skald's name. Jadairal, where writs are forced upon people. Whatever the excuse, whatever benefit they claim you will get for it, that is a removal of free will. Those you're extending this invitation to may find it a worthwhile cost, and if they were the only ones to pay that price, I wouldn't be writing this. But their children will pay it too. And their children's children. And generations of their family to come after that, born without the same choice that they got to make for themselves.
Written By Valdemar
Oct. 25, 2020, 3:08 p.m.(4/8/1014 AR)
While I still hold out a measure of hope that some of the Mourning Islanders who have chosen to follow Ivan the Apostate can be reasoned with before committing themselves to violence on behalf of a foreign power, I'm not foolish enough to believe it will be enough to keep this coming war from being a drawn-out and bloody affair. All in rebellion against the Compact have had more than enough warning, and thus my conscience is clean in calling the Grim Fleet and the Grim Legion to action.
Written By Valdemar
Oct. 13, 2020, 9:58 p.m.(3/12/1014 AR)
Relationship Note on Victus
If you're going to wait until there are no more wars to fight before finding other things to enjoy, ten years is likely a bit of an optimistic estimate, your Grace. I sincerely doubt that there will be any less need for soldiers and generals before the end of our lifetimes, and likely not within those of our children, or even those of their children. Whether anyone likes it or not, war is in humanity's nature. There will always be something that people believe is worth fighting for, and as long as that belief exists, so will the conflict that spawns war.
Written By Valdemar
Sept. 27, 2020, 3:22 p.m.(2/8/1014 AR)
Relationship Note on Mabelle
It was refreshing to get out for the opening festivities at the Dire Bee Lounge. Lady Laurent is a wonderful hostess, no surprise, and I have no doubts that the Lounge will turn out to be a successful endeavor.
Written By Valdemar
Sept. 20, 2020, 5:40 p.m.(1/22/1014 AR)
Children,
You will never be prepared for everything. That doesn't mean you shouldn't try to prepare as best you can for the challenges you will face, but inevitably something will happen that you didn't foresee, that there was no way to prepare for. Surprises are as much a part of life as breathing, and they will not always be pleasant. In fact, more often than not, they will be unpleasant to some degree. That is the nature of life, to challenge you. The sort of person you are will be measured by how you meet those challenges, how you handle those unpleasant surprises. People around you, both those you lead and your allies alike, will look to you when these situations arise. Some will simply be judging you, weighing you, while others will seek an example to follow as they must rise to the same sort of challenges. The key to disappointing as few of them as possible, I've found, is to not concern yourself with what they think. As you approach the situation, you should only be thinking of what is best for your people, your family, and yourself. Taking advice from trusted advisors is one thing, but ultimately the responsibility will be yours. You will be the one to answer for how those challenges are handled, for good or ill. So you must be sure that you can live with the consequences, and being surprised will be no acceptable excuse. So it is important to never begin accepting it from yourself.
You will never be prepared for everything. That doesn't mean you shouldn't try to prepare as best you can for the challenges you will face, but inevitably something will happen that you didn't foresee, that there was no way to prepare for. Surprises are as much a part of life as breathing, and they will not always be pleasant. In fact, more often than not, they will be unpleasant to some degree. That is the nature of life, to challenge you. The sort of person you are will be measured by how you meet those challenges, how you handle those unpleasant surprises. People around you, both those you lead and your allies alike, will look to you when these situations arise. Some will simply be judging you, weighing you, while others will seek an example to follow as they must rise to the same sort of challenges. The key to disappointing as few of them as possible, I've found, is to not concern yourself with what they think. As you approach the situation, you should only be thinking of what is best for your people, your family, and yourself. Taking advice from trusted advisors is one thing, but ultimately the responsibility will be yours. You will be the one to answer for how those challenges are handled, for good or ill. So you must be sure that you can live with the consequences, and being surprised will be no acceptable excuse. So it is important to never begin accepting it from yourself.
Written By Valdemar
Sept. 15, 2020, 7:36 p.m.(1/12/1014 AR)
If you live in a society with others, compromise becomes necessary. Not everyone can have everything that they want, so in order for there to be peace, some must sacrifice some of the things they want, whether you're speaking of comfort, traditions, certain freedoms or anything else one might be asked to give up. Marriage is a part of this society, and thus compromise might well be necessary when going into one, whether on the parts of the husband and wife, or in the case of noble matches, on the parts of their houses. But even if you don't marry, compromise will become necessary if you wish to remain a part of society. If you've avoided it thus far, I congratulate you on your good luck.
Written By Valdemar
Aug. 14, 2020, 4:37 p.m.(11/4/1013 AR)
It would appear that someone chose the wrong Grimhall.
Written By Valdemar
July 16, 2020, 10:14 p.m.(9/2/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Jasher
There is definitely enough rum to forget it all for a night or three. Maybe longer, depending on how much silver you have access to. The problem is that when you sober up, it will all likely still be there waiting for you.
Written By Valdemar
June 14, 2020, 7:26 p.m.(6/22/1013 AR)
Children,
In the course of your life, you are going to encounter mosquitoes. Other annoying bugs as well, such as flies, gnats, ants, and so on. But I've chosen to use mosquitoes as my example because of their bite and the lingering itch that accompanies it. They can be difficult to avoid, so you're bound to get bitten many times in your life. Thankfully, their bite is mostly harmless...so long as you can ignore the itch. If you scratch the bites, they can become infected and become far worse for you than if you left them alone. So you have to learn to give them as little attention as possible.
In the course of your life, you are going to encounter mosquitoes. Other annoying bugs as well, such as flies, gnats, ants, and so on. But I've chosen to use mosquitoes as my example because of their bite and the lingering itch that accompanies it. They can be difficult to avoid, so you're bound to get bitten many times in your life. Thankfully, their bite is mostly harmless...so long as you can ignore the itch. If you scratch the bites, they can become infected and become far worse for you than if you left them alone. So you have to learn to give them as little attention as possible.
Written By Valdemar
May 31, 2020, 2:40 p.m.(5/22/1013 AR)
Daughter,
I will admit it feels strange to begin a journal entry this way, after years of living with your older brothers. You were born into a complicated place for women, the Mourning Isles. Our people are traditionalists, through and through, so there will be different expectations on you than there are for your brothers. There is no way around this. But the most important thing I can tell you is that those different expectations do not mean that you are worth any less than them. You are still a Grimhall, and I will do everything in my power to give you the tools needed to live up to that name, the same as them. And I know I am not the only one who will do so.
I will admit it feels strange to begin a journal entry this way, after years of living with your older brothers. You were born into a complicated place for women, the Mourning Isles. Our people are traditionalists, through and through, so there will be different expectations on you than there are for your brothers. There is no way around this. But the most important thing I can tell you is that those different expectations do not mean that you are worth any less than them. You are still a Grimhall, and I will do everything in my power to give you the tools needed to live up to that name, the same as them. And I know I am not the only one who will do so.
Written By Valdemar
May 29, 2020, 10:02 p.m.(5/18/1013 AR)
Boys,
I am alive, and you have been born, in what will likely be looked back upon as historical times. As a result, many people, including myself and your mother, face difficult decisions, without any good choices among the options. With no way to avoid hurting anyone at all, it can seem that life is pushing you to fail, to break down and take the easy way out, the path that hurts you the least. Always consider the cost, sons, and weigh those decisions before making the best one you can. This is what I am doing, what I do every time these decisions come to try beating me down. When you are old enough to understand, I pray that you will look back and take pride in the choices I've made in light of what is going on around us.
I am alive, and you have been born, in what will likely be looked back upon as historical times. As a result, many people, including myself and your mother, face difficult decisions, without any good choices among the options. With no way to avoid hurting anyone at all, it can seem that life is pushing you to fail, to break down and take the easy way out, the path that hurts you the least. Always consider the cost, sons, and weigh those decisions before making the best one you can. This is what I am doing, what I do every time these decisions come to try beating me down. When you are old enough to understand, I pray that you will look back and take pride in the choices I've made in light of what is going on around us.
Written By Valdemar
May 2, 2020, 2:14 p.m.(3/20/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Harald
It felt good to tell and hear your stories, Father. To celebrate your life with people who knew you and missed you, as well as those who never got the opportunity. Even one of your grandsons, who will be Duke after I am gone, told one that I am sure he must have first heard from you when he was still very young. Your name and deeds live on, and shall do so for generations to come.
Written By Valdemar
April 28, 2020, 8:16 p.m.(3/12/1013 AR)
Relationship Note on Esme
Sparring does help. So does arguing with someone, though you might want to be careful who you choose to do that one with. Sailing helps me as well, though it is admittedly difficult with current circumstances.
Written By Valdemar
April 4, 2020, 4:27 p.m.(1/20/1013 AR)
The arrogance of some people really is fucking astounding.
Written By Valdemar
Feb. 26, 2020, 1:43 p.m.(10/28/1012 AR)
Relationship Note on Revell
Goodwoman Revell, it seems that you still misunderstand the purpose of the meditation that you attended. Whatever weakness or negative emotion someone may bring up during that ritual, that is the purpose of it, rather than the cause of said emotion. Too often, we hide those aspects of ourselves, enough that we will even lie to ourselves about their existence. By focusing on the cause, rather than the existence of those things within us, we risk false justification for the negative emotions that we may be prone to in general.
Take, for instance, the feeling that many were expressing at the ritual you attended: anger. Many words were used for it, but that is what it was. Now, say I was angry that day because of the weather. It was too warm, and being sweaty pisses me off. The next time I attend such a ritual, I am angry again, this time because my breakfast was late that morning. A third time, I am angry yet again, this time because a passing carriage ran through a puddle and splashed water on me. Does the problem here seem to be with the various causes of my anger, or something withing myself?
Take, for instance, the feeling that many were expressing at the ritual you attended: anger. Many words were used for it, but that is what it was. Now, say I was angry that day because of the weather. It was too warm, and being sweaty pisses me off. The next time I attend such a ritual, I am angry again, this time because my breakfast was late that morning. A third time, I am angry yet again, this time because a passing carriage ran through a puddle and splashed water on me. Does the problem here seem to be with the various causes of my anger, or something withing myself?
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.